PREFACE, THE art of letter writing will ever be considered as one of the greatest ornaments of education; for, nect to the power of pleasing by his presence, every man would wish 10 be able to give delight at a distance. 122 this Collection of Letters various models are offered, beginning with easy and familiar forms, and thence leading, by simple gradittions; to epistles of the most complex construction, The SECRETARY will be found to contain not only proper precedents of letters, but important advice, and directions for behaviour, in almost every situation in life. The Editor has selected from the best epistolary writers this country has produced, and those written by that amiable Poet, Corper, will be read with delight. Miss Williams's Correspondence from France, describing, in glorving colours, the miseries. and and horrors of revolutionary governments, and pourtraying the anarchy and bioodshed occasioned by lawless and ambitious tyrants, will be considered with the liveliest feeling and interest, and every Englishman will rejoice, that, in this happy country, we are, by the interposition of Divine Providence, placed under a Constitution wise, and good, that alike protects the peer and the peasant, and guards in safety the cottage, as well as the palace. TABLE OF CONTENTS, A young gentleman's letter to his papa, written A young lady to her mama, desiring to learn ib. A letter on arithmetic, by Dr. Johnson, to a A young gentleman to his guardian, acquaint- ing him he has begun to learn geography 4 A young lady to her fàther, requesting leave to From Lord Chesterfield to his son, on modesty 6 From a brother at home to a sister abroad on a visit, complaining of her not writing From a daughter to her mother, in 'excuse for ib. Dr. Johnson to Miss Jane Langton, a very PAGE: 29 From an elder to a younger brother, represent ing the fatal consequences of extravagance 11 From a gentleman to his son, against loquacity 12 To a friend, on the proper use of time 15 From a father to his son, on the ill consequences of keeping bad company, late hours, &c. during his apprenticeship 16 From a tradesman to his correspondent, requesting paymerit of a sum of money 19 The answer ib. From a lady to her maid servant who had left ber 20 To a young tradesman, advising method and diligence in business 22 From an aunt to her niece, containing instruc tions to judge of proposals of marriage 25 A gentleman to the father of a lady on the subject of matrimony 28 The father's answer From the lover in reply ib. A young lady to her father, informing hiin of a proposal of marriage being made to her 30 The father's answer 31 A young gentleman, nearly out of his apprenticeship, to the father of a lady 32 The father's answer 33 To a young lady, on her keeping company with a gentleman of bad character 36 To a gentleman who was jealous of his wife 35 The gentleman's answer 36 A mother to her daughter, who was jealous of her husband 37 On calumny 33 To a friend, in answer to his complaint of the incontinence of his mistress 40 On honour 41 On friendship 43 Against intimacy with a short acquaintance 45 on PAGE. 56 58 On education 46 To a young lady on fortitude 48 On the advantages of taste for the beauties of nature 50 To a friend, on the effects of prosperity and adversity on the human mind 53 A letter by Locke, on the advantages of friend ship Dr. Moore to a friend on gaming Dr. Schomberg to a young lady, on reading for improvement 62 Mr. Pope, on the proper way of keeping Christmas 65 Dr. Swift to a young lady on her marriage 67 Mrs. Thrale to a gentleman on his marriage 78 Dr. Johnson to a lady, refusing a request 83 Dr. Johnson to Mrs. Boswell, thanking her for a present 84 Dr. Johnson to Mrs. Piozzi, on sickness - 85 Dr. Tillotson to a friend 83 Dr. Johnson to Mrs. Thrale, on the death of her husband 92 From the same to the same 93 Lord Chesterfield to Dr. Chenevix, on the death of his wife 9+ Dr. Johnson to Dr. Lawrence, on the death of his wife 95 Dr. Johnson to Mrs. Strachan, on the death of 96 Dr. Johnson to Mr. Elphinstone, on the death of his mother 97 Mr. Pope to Mr. Digby, on the death of his brother 98 Miss Williams to a friend, describing her arrestation and confinement in France 100 Miss Williams in continuation 107 Miss her son |